• I sold my business after 11 successful and profitable years. And I'm glad I did and for doing it at the right time - as I was no longer enjoying the business as much as when I used to. Selling opened up for me other opportunities.

• Definately not. When we first started 15 years ago, everything was a learning curve & exciting. Machinery advances & new techniques meant there was always something "fresh" happening. While we have grown & diversified our services alot over the years there really hasn't been any BIG changes from when we started except that machinery has got faster...

  So if you don't love it, please leave and do something else so someone who cares can get on with it.

• Hell yeah, that's why Signwriting is such a great job! Every day has a new challange and every sign is different. ( as well as the customers! even after 25 years of doing it )

• Working in a "Safety-Sign-Only-Signshop" drove me nuts, I felt like a human photocopy machine. I went back to having my own business because I love designing. Race cars, Wraps, paint, air-brush & 3D fabricated sign give me a reason to go to work!

• Times have changed, the industry has changed over the past 30 years. With change comes new technologies, new opportunities, new techniques, new challenges, new issues to overcome. When I first started my business name/company we were all still true artistic sign writers. You created a persons signs using your skills, artistic talent, flair, with very little to no technological input or reliance on technology. I must admit that the personal satisfaction you achived by truely crafting a persons sign with your own hands and seeing the delight and wonder on the clients face when you finished/installed was very rewarding and the fun factor was much higher. However change is growth and with change we also must refocus our energies and creative ideas to where they are needed now. I find the industry now more competitive, greater stress, a greater reliance on technology with redefined personal skill levels. All that said, it can still be fun and you can still have a great sense of achievement. It is only the game that has changed and with that the direction, vision and goals. The goal posts may have moved, so move with them or redefine them. (Steve Baker Signs Pty Ltd, Steve Baker)

• No. Customers have become too demanding and many too finicky wanting jobs 'yesterday' and too many changes even though they make the original specifications. Also, the 'cowboys' are not helping with cost cutting and 'rough' jobs.

• NO. It so boring compared to how the sign industry used to be... Harder to make a living out of it and it only seems to get harder as each year passes. I guess we are lucky that we still do get some fun jobs, but vinyl and printing has pretty much taken over and your just competing for best price.

• No, it is far harder now than ever, with so much pressure, smaller business has to compete with larger business but it always appears that the larger organisations get all the government and public sector work, leaving us to pick up the crumbs.

• Of course. I'm now 72 and can't imagine not having my printing business to keep me occupied during the week. Always something new to learn and contacts to be made...and I can look forward to a really nice holiday every year. My advice: don't retire too early, I've seen what's happened to a lot of my mates .... and it's not pretty! Cheers

• Good question! Many trade people start out creating a business working in what they love to do, then once they start in the business they go from, " doing what they love to do - making stuff, to the process of doing what they rarely like to do - managing stuff. In Michael Gerber's book " the eMyth" he details the phenomena. Even in the 30+ years we spent building our sign company I went through the same dilemma. My experience since I have been consulting ( 14 years) for many highly creative sign people is they do struggle getting a balance between business and life and often throw in the towel, because they no longer enjoy the 'business of making signs" It is a very complex process if you in a general sign manufacturing area, specialists do it a bit easier. I would suggest looking at your systems and work towards improving, simplifying the management process - usually quote bring many undone. If you spend less time managing the business and more time making signs and the work you enjoy - well, normally sign people will enjoy the work more! There are many options, gov't web sites, business consultants ( like us) and associations all offer simple pathways unseen by many who are overwhelmed with the day to day hassle of business.

• After 11 years, I would have to say no. I am starting to plan my exit, the fun has gone from it.   

Please spend a minute to give your answer to this week's survey as one or possibly more of your industry peers thinks this question is important and wishes to see your point of view as well as others in the industry.

(NSW, St Peters) 2 Mimaki JV4s.  No heads otherwise in reasonable condition.
Refurbish or use for parts.
Make an offer!!
Call Peter @ Sublitech. 0412235673.
(Posted 22nd Januuary 2014)

(NSW, St Peters) Roland direct to fabric sublimation printer.  1800mm print width in line heat chamber.
3 years old, perfect condition, very little use.
Paid $85000, need to sell ASAP!!
$24500!!
Call Peter @ Sublitech.  0412235673.
(Posted 22nd Januuary 2014)

(NSW, Coffs Harbour) Roland Hi-Fi-Jet CJ500 for sale. Circa 2000 model. Always covered. Offers Invited (Coffs Harbour)
0412618145
(Posted 3rd January 2014)

(NSW, Tamworth) 2 x Mimaki JV3 160 SP $4000 ea. Extras include 2x spare pumps & (10x wipers all genuine) for each printer. Serviced regularly, selling due to upgrade. Contact Emily 0403 748 922
or (02) 6765 4511
(Posted 14th December 2013)

(NSW, Wyong) ROLAND AJ-1000 ONLY 210 PRINT HOURS serviced regularly. Print speeds of up to 90 sq m/hr $35,000
 0243533036
(Posted 25th November 2013)

(NSW, Mid North Coast) Roland Versa Studio BN20 

Valla Beach, Mid North Coast. NSW

$7000 + GST
Great condition. New head. Inks incl.
Email inq: abbey@globalstyle.com.au 

(Posted 18th November 2013) 

Send an ad - click here

(Wanted) (QLD,  Brendale) Wanted Roland Printers for spare parts.

Contact Paul 1300 423 826

(Posted 15th November 2013)

Queensland

(Wanted) (QLD, Gold Coast) "Work Wanted" 20 Y.O Male with 2x years experience in the sign industry looking for a job on the Gold Coast. His previous employer just closed down. He can be reached by ph: 04500-39938 or email: swestony@hotmail.com  
Own transport & Willing to drive anywhere.
(Posted 10th February 2014) 

Wanted (QLD, Brisbane) Work wanted -

Cnc flatbed router operator/programmer, engraving machines and pantographs, infilling, spraypainting. General signmaking. Forklift, worksite/cherry picker tickets. Brisbane and Sunshine Coast. Any work appreciated. mark93@iprimus.com.au. 0488919523.
(Posted 13th December 2013)

(QLD, Brisbane) SALES PERSON, Seeking a highly motivated sales person, with experience in Advertising Billboards or large format printing Signage industry. to work on a good retainer plus commission basis, full time long term position available to the right person.

0419944660
(Posted 18th October 2013)

(QLD, Currumbin) Casual Sales Rep, for easy to place signage products to existing clients, Good pay for right person, flexible hours, Tel: 07 5598 8840

(Posted 26th September 2013)

(QLD, Brisbane)Signage Manufacturing.

Experience in all aspects of the sign industry, wide format printing through to dispatch. Please forward resume to marce. l.suchanek@kbgroup.com.au
(Posted 19th September 2013)

Western Australia 

(WA, Perth) Sales Executive - Sign & Display role in Perth?

Manage and grow your own sales territory in our growing sign & display segment selling inks and consumables. Based in our Malaga site. Competitive base salary + commission + car + super.
To apply, forward your resume to nicole.trosky@spicers.com.au.
(Posted 3rd September 2013)

South Australia

(SA, Adelaide) WIDE FORMAT ROLL & FLATBED DIGITAL OPERATOR (Pre-Press) Duties include, Pre-Press, colour correction/matching, preparation of files, design work, ripping and printing to  multiple devices. You must be able to work in a busy environment with tight deadlines.  Wage negotiable based on experience. Resumes to: martin@pricescreen.com.au
(Posted 13th January 2014)

(SA, Woodville) Digital Sublimation Print Manager - A highly motivated individual with experience in graphic design would be preferable for this role. Visit Seek.com.au to view full job add, aknight@adelaide-ess.com.au 

(Posted 15th October 2013)

Large premises, All plant & equipment, Owner Retiring. 0890713565

topsigns@westnet.com.au 

(Posted 18th November 2013)

Well established - prime position - huge client base - little opposition

All equipment & files. Details 0409 581 135 

(Posted 3rd November 2013)

1)    Wide format flatbed UV digital printer, CMYK+White, print area 3.200mm x 1650mm x 30mm. top speed 80 sm/hr

2)    Multicam CNC router, 3D capabilities, air extraction system, 2500mm x 1830mm x 150mm cutting area
3)    Laminator 1600mm, eyeletting machine, ultrasonic welding machine, guillotine 1320mm, Forklift, Toyota HiAce van, Pallet Racking, computers.
4)    Client database, approximately t/o $500K/p.a.
Selling at less than machinery value, $225,000, ono + SAV for quick sale. Owner retiring.
Tel: 0406 995 001 

(Posted 23rd October 2013)

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